The Discovery of My Second Home! Past Review
By Dalton Motter (Loras College) - abroad from 01/28/2016 to 06/21/2016 with
Loras College: Lisbon - Urban Portugal: Historical and Geographical Perspectives
I gained a global perspective which was well worth my time.
Review Photos
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | None |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
Excellent food if you are a fan of sea food. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
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| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
The overall experience is not comparable to any other academic semester or general trip I have experienced. While abroad I was introduced to a variety of culture, cuisine, and friends that I will remember for a lifetime. |
Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? | 30-40 Euros |
| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Cook food at your residence to save on money. Shopping at Pingo Doce or Mini Preco is a wise move because they have plenty of options and cost less money than other grocery stores. |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
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How much did the program encourage you to use the language?
0 = No encouragement, 5 = frequent encouragement to use the language |
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| How would you rate your language skills at the beginning of the program? | None |
| How would you rate your language skills at the end of the program? | Beginner |
| What was the highest level language course you had completed prior to departure? | N/A |
| How many hours per day did you use the language? | |
| Do you have any tips/advice on the best ways to practice the language for future study abroad participants? | Go outside of your comfort zone and attempt to speak the native language with locals because they will help improve your speaking skills. Start off small by using greetings and then slowly progress to ordering a coffee or a meal in the native language. |
Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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| About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? | 10+ |
A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Knowing some of the native language before arriving in Portugal. |
